General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has been named the new Chief of Defense Forces (PDF) officer.
He takes the place of General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was named Minister of State for Trade as part of the new cabinet reorganization that was revealed on Thursday night.
As the senior presidential advisor overseeing special operations for his father, Gen. Muhoozi has been doing this role.
This occurs just a few days after President Museveni gave then-CDF Gen. Mbadi authority over all army components on February 17 by presenting the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Establishment 2021, a tool of delegated command, control, and administration.
“By virtue of the powers enshrined under Article 98(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Section 8(1) and (2)(a) of the UPDF Act, 2005, yesterday, on February 17, 2024, at the Defence Council meeting, I presented the UPDF Establishment 2021, an instrument of delegated Command, Control, and Administration, to General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF, to command all elements of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces,” Museveni said in a statement on February 18.
Brig Muhoozi, who will now be in charge of protecting both his father and the nation’s recently discovered oil wells, was named general commander of the nation’s special forces by President Museveni.
It takes an individual an average of more than two decades to become a Brigadier, according to an analysis of a list of at least 25 senior ranking army commanders who have achieved the rank over time.
After formally joining the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) less than 15 years ago, Brig Muhoozi has attained such seniority, fueling rumors that he is being groomed to succeed his father, who has held office for 26 years.
Critics have not wasted time in pointing out that Brig Muhoozi benefits by having a father who is also the head of the nation’s armed forces.
While there are those who speculate that President Museveni may be preparing his son to take over as leader of the nation in the future, Brig Muhoozi has consistently maintained that his quick rise was earned.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, rose through the military ranks at one of the fastest rates in the nation’s army after being promoted to the rank of brigadier on Monday, according to an analysis by this website.
Brig Muhoozi, who will now be in charge of protecting both his father and the nation’s recently discovered oil wells, was named general commander of the nation’s special forces by President Museveni.
Brig. Muhoozi’s incredible ascent through the ranks has been justified by the army on Tuesday, which stated that the First Son has earned every rank bestowed upon him. Muhoozi has advanced and been promoted normally.
Acting Army Spokesman Capt Chris Magezi stated, “He is a disciplined, dedicated, and highly trained officer who has been serving with us for a long time.”
Critics have not wasted time in pointing out that Brig Muhoozi benefits by having a father who is also the head of the nation’s armed forces.
In response to a question about why it had taken other officers an average of more than 20 years to reach the rank of brigadier, Capt. Magezi stated that because officers joined the force at different times, it is challenging for them to follow identical career trajectories.
He acknowledged that some people had served in the army longer than others and that other people had taken longer to rise to the rank of officer. “The reason for this is that some people enlist in the army as non-commissioned officers, while others do so immediately as commissioned officers.
Comparing them would be incorrect because, of course, they cannot follow the same route.” Hassan Fungaroo, a lawmaker and shadow minister of defense for Uganda, stated: “The promotion is irregular, beginning with his (Muhoozi’s) selection for military training and studies.”
Why is Muhoozi the only person chosen for all of these trainings and studies rather than [other people]? defended his approach While there are those who speculate that President Museveni may be preparing his son to take over as leader of the nation in the future, Brig Muhoozi has consistently maintained that his quick rise was earned.
Nor is there any documented evidence to suggest that his professional blitz was a prelude to political office.
In remarks recorded in diplomatic cables that were released on the whistleblower website Wikileaks, legislator Mike Mukula allegedly informed US officials stationed in Uganda that President Museveni was “increasingly patterning himself after [Zimbabwean President] Robert Mugabe and wants to position his son, then Lt Col Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his eventual successor.”
When reached, Mr. Mukula, the deputy chairman of the ruling party for eastern Uganda, responded, “For me, no comment.”
If the First Son’s military advancement “is a calculation” by Mr. Museveni with respect to “succession,” Mr. Fungaroo countered, “it is a big miscalculation because it will be bad for Muhoozi.” He went on to say: “Muhoozi will never be assessed on the basis of his own abilities and merit because he will be carrying this baggage from his father.”
When detractors questioned Brig. Muhoozi’s ascent, Capt. Magezi responded, calling them “wrong” and “uninformed.” He cited other examples of military precedents, such as those set by Mr. Museveni’s brother, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, a longtime army commander who is also a prominent figure in the opposition.
Not solitary The spokesperson stated, “Brig Muhoozi’s case is not unprecedented.”
“In 1989, when Gen. Muntu became leadership of the National Resistance Army, what was his age? He was a colonel in our records and had leaped to the rank of Brigadier before becoming a Major General.” The army establishment has been quick to defend the President’s decision to promote his son by highlighting the range of professional trainings he has completed at esteemed military institutions, including the British Academy at Sandhurst, as well as his more than ten years of service.
They mention that he completed the officer cadet course, the company commanders course, the junior staff college, the senior staff college, the national defense college, the tank course, the paratrooper’s course, and formal military education—a feat that is uncommon for someone his age.
Given the “physical and mental” challenges of the job, Capt. Magezi added that Brig Muhoozi is “almost at the best age” to lead a battalion, a position that carries the rank of Brigadier. He also mentioned that President Museveni’s decision to reorganize the elite Special Forces Group had a role in Muhoozi’s promotion.
Capt. Magezi stated, “That is another fact that has precipitated his promotion.”
